Make-ahead Christmas starter recipes

Blend smoked mackerel with soft cheese, horseradish sauce and lemon juice to make this easy paté. Top with a sprinkling of cayenne and serve with toast

Rustle up Tom Kerridge's crab starter with a hint of smoked paprika for your next dinner party. You can make it ahead, leaving you time to sit down and enjoy

Marinate chicken wings in cranberry and soy sauce, then cook in an air-fryer to make this tasty side. They're perfect for a buffet or movie night snack

If you're looking for a Christmas classic with a twist, this French ham hock and pistachio terrine, transformed into a modern make-ahead starter is for you

This festive make-ahead starter is perfect for a Christmas meal for two. Serve with crunchy toast and a scattering of dill for an impressive seafood dish

Serve a festive, bright green bowl to kick off your Christmas meal. Kale is sweetened by the addition of peas, and lifted with a squeeze of zesty lime

A smooth, blended vegetable soup with blue cheese that's as good for a comforting meal as it is for a dinner party starter

A soufflé to start always gives your dinner party a 'wow' factor and this make-ahead recipe gives you more time to be the perfect host

Whet the appetite for the main event by serving guests this special chicken terrine with leeks and apricots. It can be made up to three days ahead

Blend leeks and butter beans to make this filling winter soup. Top with crispy chorizo and rosemary for a final flourish and serve with crusty bread

This tart is easy to make, looks stunning and tastes wonderful. Best of all, you can make it ahead and reheat from frozen

Create a little make-your-own crostini station where guests are invited to spread baked ricotta onto warm toast and top with grapes and prosciutto

Make cheese straws with the added flavours of sesame and poppy seeds, dried onion flakes and sea salt. They're perfect snacks to serve with cocktails

Try our easy starter – the filling can be made well in advance and chilled. Once your guests arrive, toast the crumpets and pile the filling on top

Take comfort on cold days with a warming bowl of soup. Ours is full of veg, making it tasty, healthy and low in calories and fat

Roll quail's eggs up in creamy smoked fish and potato for an impressive make-ahead weekend canapé or starter

Ideal for a crowd and perfect for preparing ahead, these little pastry bites make a stylish canapé

These perfect party tartlets are a great make-ahead starter for a fancy Sunday lunch

Transform boxty (Irish pancakes) into blinis topped with smoked trout. Ireland meets Eastern Europe by way of Scandinavia – a perfect mash-up for Eurovision!

Enjoy these skewers as canapés at your next party. Flavoured with festive clementines, they're ideal at Christmas served with your choice of dips

Give the classic prawn cocktail a makeover with a boozy twist – you then need to choose whether to shake or stir the martini dressing